I’ve found a Friend, oh, such a Friend
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I’ve found a Friend, oh, such a Friend! He loved me ere I knew Him; He drew me with the cords of love, And thus He bound me to Him. And round my heart still closely twine Those ties which naught can sever, For I am His, and He is mine, Forever and forever. |
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I’ve found a Friend, oh, such a Friend! He bled, He died to save me; And not alone the gift of life, But His own self He gave me. Naught that I have my own I call, I hold it for the Giver; My heart, my strength, my life, my all, Are His, and His forever. |
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I’ve found a Friend, oh, such a Friend! So kind, and true, and tender, So wise a Counsellor and Guide, So mighty a Defender! From Him who loves me now so well, What power my soul can sever? Shall life or death, or earth or hell? No? I am His forever. |
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Storrs, Connecticut, United States
James G. Small was born in Edinburgh in 1817. He was educated at the High School there and later attended Edinburgh University. In 1847, Mr. Small became a minister of the Free Church at Bervie, near Melrose. He produced several poetic works including “Hymns for Youthful Voices, ” and “Psalms and Sacred Songs. ” The latter of the two was published in 1866 which is where “I’ve Found a Friend” first appeared. Since then, this hymn has been sung wherever Christ is preached.
J. G. Small died in Renfrew, February 11, 1888.
“I’ve Found a Friend” was a favorite of Ira. D. Sankey and he frequently sang it as a solo during great revival services with a beaming face and a joyful voice.
On one occasion, when Sankey and Henry Moorhouse were holding meetings at Scarborough, there were a group of Quaker ladies, among them, a cousin of the Honorable John Bright. She wrote on a slip of paper and passed it to the platform requesting, “Will Mr. Sankey please repeat the hymn, ‘I’ve Found a Friend, ’ in the usual way? ”
During a cottage meeting held in a lodging-house in the Midlands, a young man, who was an inmate, came into the room where the meeting was held, with the objective of ridiculing the small gathering. After the singing of a few hymns, the young man rose up and asked for the hymn “I’ve Found a Friend. ” During the singing of the hymn, the youth was seen to be in tears, and before the meeting closed one of the workers had the joy of leading the young wanderer to the Savior. The next morning he left town, but before leaving, he sent a letter to one of the missionaries, in which he wrote: “I asked you to sing that hymn because it was a favorite of my dear sister, who is waiting for me at the gates of heaven. I have now promised to meet her there. By God’s help if we do not meet again on earth, I promise to meet you in heaven. You will always think of me when you sing, ‘I’ve Found a Friend. ’ Show this letter to my two other friends. ”
Thus the singing of this hymn, doubtless recalling memories of happier days, was used of God in bringing a wayward one at the feet of Jesus, and now he was able to sing from his heart the song which would always remind him of his sister’s heart’s desire to meet him in heaven.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
amen
Toongabbie, NSW, Australia
Not that we loved God, but that He loved us and gave Himself for us.
San Mateo, California, United States
I don't always find friends, but when I do, I find Jesus.
I’ve found a Friend, oh, such a Friend!
So kind, and true, and tender,
So wise a Counsellor and Guide,
So mighty a Defender!
From Him who loves me now so well,
What power my soul can sever?
Shall life or death, or earth or hell?
No? I am His forever.
Kampala, Central, Uganda
He's dependable friend in season and out of season.
Kampala, Uganda
He's a true friend to me indeed
Stockton, CA, United States
I found Him! I found a friend! He loved me before I knew Him! The gift He have is not just His Life, but His very own person!
Accra, Ghana
I'm encouraged through this hymn though I am mourning my mom.
Boston, MA, United States
O, Lord give me eternal life and I'll be with you forever.